Joseph Michael Bruce's Obituary
Joseph Michael Bruce, 74, of Annapolis, MD.
Joe was born to Robert Riley Bruce and Margaret Celeste Thompson of Hutchinson Kansas December 15, 1943. In 1961, at age 18, he could not wait to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He served several tours in Vietnam, on many surface fleet ships, and his last ship was a submarine tender, the USS Fulton from 1981 to 1987. His final duty station was the US Naval Academy. Joe retired in 1990 as Master Chief Petty Officer after serving the country he loved so dearly for nearly thirty years.
Joe was proud of his Navy career, but was also a very humble man when it came to sharing the medals he earned, which included 2 Navy Achievement Awards, Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Citation, 6 Good Conduct awards, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Laos), 4 Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medals, 3 Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Vietnam Expeditionary, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Service Medal.
After his retirement, Joe worked at the University of Maryland for 15 years as the Superintendent of the Physical Plant. Most recently, he spent his spare time as a courtesy driver at Lexus of Annapolis.
Joe married the love of his life, Patricia, in 1981 in Mystic CT, and together shared a fondness for traveling, history, working countless hours in his garden sanctuary and spending time with family.
Joe leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Patricia, sons Michael and wife Karen, Joseph and wife Sandy, daughter Kathleen and husband Robert. Grandchildren Sean, Lindsey, Kellyn, Sarah, Katie and great grandchildren Chase and Aria.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made in Joe’s honor to The Wounded Warrior Project.
Please join the family in celebrating Joe’s life on Friday, July 27 at Lasting Tributes Funeral Home, 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21403 with visitation at 3pm, followed by a service at 4pm and additional time for shared memories from 5p-6p.
Burial will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
Fair winds and following seas…..
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